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Q. How many satellites are in orbit? — Lakish O.
A. There are approximately 9,000.
At the time of this writing, there were 8,953 satellites in orbit around Earth including 4,503 larger pieces of space junk.

The total included:

• 2,828 payloads
• 1,591 spent rocket bodies
• 2 platforms
• 4,503 larger pieces of debris
• 29 unknown items
• 8,953 total

In addition, there were 171 deep space probes that have left Earth orbit and are elsewhere in the Solar System.


Learn more:

• Launch logs and databases lists of satellites sent to orbit  »»
  
  
• United States Strategic Command box score  »»
  A web site of the U.S. Department of Defense, North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Strategic Command at the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center lists the current "box score" for each country. Unfortunately, the Center has this notice posted at this time: "Due to increased security concerns, access to the Cheyenne Mountain General Public Presentation is on hold until further notice"

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